The Secret Bar Tucked Away Inside The Tower Of London

The Tower of London is one of the world's most notorious buildings, notable for many things, none of which scream "hospitality." At points from the Middle Ages all the way through the early 1900s, the Tower held political prisoners, many of whom were sentenced to death (via Britannica). Guy Fawkes and Sir Walter Raleigh were imprisoned there for a time, and those executed on its grounds include Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, Lady Jane Grey, and numerous spies captured during WWI.

Thankfully, the Tower of London today is far removed from its macabre past and is now a popular tourist attraction. When Britain's Crown Jewels are not in use for coronations or other ceremonial purposes, the collection, comprising 23,578 gemstones, is kept on display at the Tower (via Historic Royal Palaces). In true English fashion, there is also a pub in the Tower of London, but if you're looking for a pint after your tour, you'll have to keep walking because, unless you belong to one of the most exclusive groups in England, you aren't allowed in.

The Yeoman Warders Club is wedged into a private corner of the Tower of London, and according to Insider, this pub is only accessible to those whose name it bears: the Yeoman Warders, colloquially known as the 'Beefeaters.' When you've got 23,578 precious gemstones on your property, you'd better get security, and the Yeoman Warders are guards who reside in the Tower of London, protecting it and its treasured contents (via TimeOut). Like the famous guards of Buckingham Palace, these courageous souls wear outrageously large hats and serve a part-time role as camera fodder for tourists, which number some 3 million annually, per Insider.

The Warders Club has perks that no other pub can offer, including exclusive brews. Insider notes two varieties, an ale called Beefeater Bitter and a lager called Yeoman 1485, are made in Staffordshire just for the Warders. If you want to taste them for yourself, you'll need to join the Beefeaters, and TimeOut reports that doing so requires 22 years of military service, attaining at least the rank of Warrant Officer, and earning the Long Service and Good Conduct medal. As for the origin of the 'Beefeater' name, Metro reports no clear consensus exists, but it may come from the Tower's early days when its guards were paid partially in rations of beef.